West Coast Groundfish Observer Program Manual, Part2 - NOAA

CHAPTER 7
incident, a description of the marine mammal, and a summary
of where and how the violation occurred.
Marine Mammal Data Collection Priorities
The role of Observers under the MMPA is to conduct
statistically reliable monitoring of fishing operations and to
record information on all interactions between fishing
operations and marine mammals. Always whole haul
sample for marine mammals caught by a vessel’s fishing
gear.
Marine mammal data collection in order of priority:
1. Collect length, sex, and weight (if possible) information
from any dead marine mammal brought on board a
fishing vessel.
2. Collect canine teeth (snouts) from any dead sea lion or
Northern fur seal brought on board a fishing vessel.
3. Collect tissue from any dead cetacean brought on
board a fishing vessel.
4. Collect interaction and sighting information on marine
mammals that interact directly with the fishing vessel
and/or the vessel’s fishing gear.
5. Collect sighting information on marine mammals that
are visible from the vessel while at sea.
7-4 1/30/2004